In the end, it was a comfortable win for the heir to Sir Nicholas Winterton’s Tory throne.

New Macclesfield MP David Rutley won with a majority of almost 12,000 votes to strengthen the Conservatives’ grip on a constituency they have held since 1918.

More than 2,500 was added to Sir Nick’s 2005 majority, although overall share of the vote fell from 49.6pc to 47pc, Mr Rutley declared it a ‘tremendous result’.

"I am so delighted that the voters in Macclesfield have voted so decisively for the Conservative Party," he said.

"I want to be a really hard working constituency MP and carry on in the tradition that Sir Nick Winterton established. There has been a good honest debate between candidates and a strong turn-out. We worked very, very hard. I have a tremendous opportunity now to serve the people of Macclesfield."

He said his team had knocked on 25,000 doors and delivered four different leaflets to 40,000 homes during the past five months.

And he made clear his own view in the debate currently occupying many Tory MPs’ thoughts - whether to compromise with the Lib Dems over electoral reform in order to form a government.

Mr Rutley said: "I would have real concerns about moves towards proportional representation, but at this stage that isn’t what is being proposed and I will wait and watch how negotiations unfold."

He said his immediate priorities in Macclesfield included revitalising the town centre, the regeneration of Poynton village, the future of BAE Woodford, and securing jobs.

And the father-of-four, who secured the biggest Tory majority in the town since 1992, promised to make good his campaign pledge by bringing back constituency surgeries next week.

Asked how he planned to follow Sir Nick, Mr Rutley told the Express: "I cannot do 39 years. I am 49 and that isn’t a record I ever wanted to try and beat."

Surgery appointments next Friday, May 21, and Saturday, May 22, with Mr Rutley can be made by calling 01625 422848.